Krishnaism (also Bhagavatism) is a group of Hindu denominations within Vaishnavism, centered on devotion to Radha Krishna or other forms of Krishna, identified with Vishnu.[1]
The central text of Krishnaism is the Bhagavad Gita[2][3][4].
Out of many deities, Krishna is particularly important, and Vaishnava traditions are generally centered either on Vishnu or on Krishna as Svayam Bhagavan ("the Lord Himself"). The term "Krishnaism" has been used to describe the sects focussed on Krishna, while "Vaishnavism" for sects focusing on Vishnu in which Krishna is an Avatar, rather than a transcended Supreme Being.[5]
Krishnaism originates in the early centuries CE, arising from an amalgamation of the heroic Krishna Vasudeva, the "divine child" Bala Krishna and the Gopala traditions, and syncretism of these non-Vedic traditions with the Mahabharata canon, thus affiliating itself with Vedism in order to become acceptable to the orthodox establishment. Krishnaism becomes associated with bhakti yoga in the medieval period. Friedhelm Hardy in his "Viraha-bhakti" analyses the history of Krishnaism, specifically all pre-11th century sources starting with the stories of Krishna and the gopi, and Mayon mysticism of the Vaishnava Tamil saints, Sangam Tamil literature and Alvars' Krishna-centered devotion in the rasa of the emotional union and the dating and history of the Bhagavata Purana.[6][7]
Krishnaism has a limited following outside of India, especially associated with 1960s counter-culture, including a number of celebrity followers, such as George Harrison, due to the proselytization by the founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.[8][9][10]
Relationship between different forms of Krishna as
paripurna avatara of Vishnu and as Svayam Bhagavan.
Vaishnavism is a monotheism, sometimes described as "polymorphic monotheism", with the implication that there are many forms of one original deity, that is, belief in a single unitary deity who takes many forms. In Krishnaism this deity is Krishna, sometimes referred as intimate deity - as compared with the numerous four-armed forms of Narayana or Vishnu.[11] While in common language the term is not often used, as many prefer a wider term "Vaishnavism", which appeared to relate to Vishnu (more specifically as Vishnu-ism), there are a few theories as to the origins and the definitions of Krishnaism.
Within Vaishnavism, Krishnaim contrasts with "Vishnuism". Vishnuism believes in Vishnu as the supreme being, manifested himself as Krishna, while Krishnaism accepts Krishna to be Svayam bhagavan or "authentic", that manifested himself as Vishnu. As such Krishnaism is believed to be one of the early attempts to make philosophical Hinduism appealing to the masses.[12]
Historically, it was Caitanya Mahaprabhu who founded congregational chanting of holy names of Krishna in the early 16th century after becoming a sannyasi.
Krishna is the principal deity of Krishnaism that is also worshiped across many other traditions of Hinduism. Krishna is often described as having the appearance of a dark-skinned person and is depicted as a young cowherd boy playing a flute or as a youthful prince giving philosophical direction and guidance, as in the Bhagavad Gita.[13]
Krishna and the stories associated with him appear across a broad spectrum of different Hindu philosophical and theological traditions, where its believed that God appears to his devoted worshippers in many different forms, depending on their particular desires. These forms include the different avataras of Krishna described in traditional Vaishnava texts, but they are not limited to these. Indeed, it is said that the different expansions of the Svayam bhagavan are uncountable and they cannot be fully described in the finite scriptures of any one religious community.[14][15] Many of the Hindu scriptures sometimes differ in details reflecting the concerns of a particular tradition, while some core features of the view on Krishna are shared by all.[16]
History of Krishnaism in the framework of
Vedas and Vaishnavism as a whole.
- Northern
Gopala Krsna of Krishnaism is often contrasted with Vedism especially based on the story appearing in the Bhagavata Purana when Krishna asks his followers to desist from Vedic Indra worship. Thus the character of Gopala Krishna is often considered to be non-Vedic.[17]
Krishnaism appears to emerge as early as during the Maurya period, based on the evidence[citation needed] of the Arthasastra of Kautilya. Worship of Krishna, the deified tribal hero and religious leader of the Yadavas, took sectarian form as the Pancaratra and earlier as Bhagavata religions. This sect has at a later stage merged with the sect of Narayana.
Early Krishnaism thus consist of an amalgamation of the heroic Krishna Vasudeva, the "divine child" Bala Krishna and the Gopala traditions.
By its incorporation into the Mahabharata canon during the early centuries CE, Krishnaism began to affiliate itself with Vedism in order to become acceptable to orthodoxy, in particular aligning itself with Rigvedic Vishnu. By the Early Medieval period, Krishnaism had risen to a major current of Vaishnavism.[18]
- Southern
According to Hardy's study of the various connections between records and traditions there is evidence of early "southern Krishnaism",[6] even there is a tendency to allocate this tradition to the Northern traditions. There is a narrative context in which the early writings in Dravidian culture such as Manimekalai and the Cilappatikaram present Krishna, his brother, and favorite female companions in the similar terms.[19] Friedhelm Hardy argues that the Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana is essentially a Sanskrit "translation" of the bhakti of the Tamil alvars.[20] Whether to accept this radical suggestion, it an accepted view that South Indian texts illustrate close parallels to the Sanskrit traditions of Krishna and his gopi companions, so ubiquitous in later North Indian text and imagery.[19]
While some refer to devotion to indigenous Mal (Tirumal) as early forms of Krishnaism, since Mal appears as a divine figure, largely like Krishna with some elements of Vishnu.[21] It has been suggested by Hardy that the term "Mayonism" should be used instead of "Krishnaism" when referring to Mal or Mayon.[6] On the other hand another prominent early evidence gathered from the poetry of Alvars, whose name can be translated "sages" or "saints", is that they were devotees of Mal. In their poems there comes a pronounced orientation to the Vaishnava and often Krishna side of Mal. It is however important to note that they do not make the distinction between Krishna and Vishnu on the basis of the concept of the Avatars.[21]
Vaishnavism in the 8th century came into contact with the Advaita doctrine of Adi Shankara. There were counter-movements in South India to Shankara's theory of Brahman in particular, Ramanuja in the 11th century and Madhva in the 13th, building on the devotional tradition of the Alvars (Shri Vaishnavas).
The Bhakti movement of late medieval Hinduism emerges in the 9th or 10th century, and is based on the Bhagavata Purana. On opinion of others it is Bhagavad Gita that may be said to constitute the gospel of Krishnaism. It is believed to be the most seminal of all Hindu scriptures.[22]
In North India, Krishnaism gave rise to various late Medieval movements: Nimbarka and Ramananda in the 14th century, Kabir and Sankaradeva in the 15th and Vallabha and Caitanya in the 16th.
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South Indian
traditions and evidence
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Radha Krishna
traditions (Krishna as the Supreme, not as an avatar)
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Krishna worship
alone without Radha
Krishna worship
as an avatar
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Mixed modes
traditions
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Krishna worship
as Ishta-deva
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Main article:
Radha KrishnaA number of interpretations according to traditions possess a common root of personalism in the understanding of worship. Some proclaiming the supremacy of Krishna and the reality and eternality of individual selves.[23]
One of the Middle Ages Kings of Manipur, Gareeb Nivaz ruling from 1709 to 1748 and he was initiated into Krishnaism and practiced this religion for nearly twenty years.[24] Since that period of time Manipuri Vaishnavas do not worship Krishna alone, but Radha-Krishna.[25] With the spread of the worship of Krishna and Radha, it becomes the dominant form in the Manipur region.[26]
Charlotte Vaudeville, in the article ‘Evolution of Love Symbolism in Bhagavatism’ draws some parallel to Nappinnai, appearing in Godha's magnum opus Thiruppavai and also in Nammalwar's references to Nappinnani, the daughter-in-law of Nandagopa. Nappinnai is believed to be the source of Radha's conception in Prakrit and Sanskrit literature although their characteristic relations with Krishna are different.
Yasastilaka Champukavya (AD 959) makes references to Radha and Krishna well before Jayadeva's period. There are elaborate references to Radha in Brahma vaivarta and Padma Puranas.[27]
Early Bengali literature gives a vivid description of the depiction and evolution of understanding of Radha and Krishna.[28] However the source of Jayadeva Goswamis heroine in his poem Gita Govinda remains a puzzle in Sanskrit Literature.[29]
In Caitanya Vaishnavism metaphysical status and Radha-worship is considered to be established by Krsnadasa in his Caitanya Caritamrta where he represents the doctrine that prevailed among the Vrindavan Caitanyaites following Caitanya's demise in 1533. It is believed that Krishna desired to experience fully what it is like to love Krishna as Radha does has appeared as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And what Radha (appearing as Caitanya) does in her longing for Krishna is to chant his names.[30]
One of the self manifested Deities established by Gopala Bhatta Goswami is called Radharamana, it is not surprising that Radharamana is seen as not only Krishna but also as Radha-Krishna.[31]
The adepts and followers of the Nimbarka Sampradaya worship the youthful Krishna, alone or with his consort Radha are representing the earliest of the second wave of Greater Krishnaism, dating at least to the 12th century, matching and extending beyond tradition of the Rudra Sampradaya does.[32] According to Nimbarka, Radha was the eternal consort of Vishnu-Krishna and there is also a suggestion, though not a clear statement, that she became the wife of her beloved Krishna.[33]
Vallabhacharya introduced the worship of Radha Krishna, where according to some sects, for example, the devotees identify mainly with the female companion (sakhi) of Radha who is privileged to witness the Radha-Krsna private relationship.[34]
In Swaminarayan Faith, spreading very rapidly thought the world, Radha Krishna Dev has a special place as Swaminarayan himself made a reference to Radha Krishna in the Shikshapatri he wrote.[35]
Main articles:
Vrindavana and
GolokaVrindavana is often considered to be a holy place by majority of traditions of Krishnaism. Its a center of Krishna worship and the area is including places like Govardhana and Gokula associated with Krishna from the time immemorial. Many millions of bhaktas or devotees of Krishna visit these places of pilgrimage every year and participate in a number of festivals that relate to the scenes from Krishnas life on Earth.[36]
On the other hand, Goloka is considered the eternal abode of Krishna, Svayam bhagavan according to some Vaishnava schools, including Gaudiya Vaishnavism and the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The scriptural basis for this is taken in Brahma Samhita and Bhagavata Purana.[37]
While every tradition of Krishnaism has its own canon, in all Krishna is accepted as a teacher of the path in the scriptures Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.[36]
As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, establishing the basis of Krishnaism himself:
- "And of all yogins, he who full of faith worships Me, with his inner self abiding in Me, him, I hold to be the most attuned (to me in Yoga)."[39]
- "After attaining Me, the great souls do not incur rebirth in this miserable transitory world, because they have attained the highest perfection."[40]
In Gaudiya Vaishnava, Vallabha Sampradaya, Nimbarka sampradaya and the old Bhagavat school, Krishna is believed to be fully represented in his original form in the Bhagavata Purana, that at the end of the list of avataras concludes with the following assertion:[41]
All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead (Svayam Bhagavan).[42]
Not all commentators on the Bhagavata Purana stress this verse, however a majority of Krishna-centered and contemporary commentaries highlight this verse as a significant statement.[43] Jiva Goswami has called it Paribhasa-sutra, the "thesis statement" upon which the entire book or even theology is based.[44]
In another place of the Bhagavata Purana (10.83.5-43) those who are named as wives of Krishna all explain to Uraupadi how the 'Lord himself' (Svayam Bhagavan, Bhagavata Purana 10.83.7) came to marry them. As they relate these episodes, several of the wives speak of themselves as Krishna's devotees.[45] In the tenth canto the Bhagavata Purana describes svayam bhagavans Krishna's childhood pastimes as that of a much-loved child raised by cowherds in Vrindavan, near to the Yamuna River. The young Krishna enjoys numerous pleasures, such as thieving balls of butter or playing in the forest with his cowherd friends. He also endures episodes of carefree bravery protecting the town from demons. More importantly, however, he steals the hearts of the cowherd girls (Gopis). Through his magical ways, he multiplies himself to give each the attention needed to allow her to be so much in love with Krishna that she feels at one with him and only desires to serve him. This love, represented by the grief they feel when Krishna is called away on a heroic mission and their intense longing for him, is presented as models of the way of extreme devotion (bhakti) to the Supreme Lord.[46]
In the Varkari movement the following scriptures are considered sacred in addition to general body of the common writing:
- Dyaneshawri
- Tukaram-Gatha
- Sopandevi
- Namdev-Gatha
- Eknathi-Bhagwat
- Sad Sandarbhas
- Brahma Samhita
While Vishnu is attested already in the Rigveda, the development of Krishnaism appears to take place via the worship of Vasudeva in the final centuries BCE. This earliest phase was established the time of Pāṇini (4th c. BCE) who, in his Astadhyayi, explained the word vasudevaka as a bhakta (devotee) of Vasudeva. The appearance of Krishna as one of the Avatars of Vishnu dates to the period of the Sanskrit epics in the early centuries CE. By the 8th century CE, Vasudeva has been interpreted by Adi Shankara, using the earlier Vishnu Purana as a support, as meaning the "supreme self" or Vishnu, dwelling everywhere and in all things,[47] although many other schools of Hindu philosophy have a different interpretation of this key concept. However the primary meaning remains enshrined in the inscription of the Heliodorus pillar 110 BCE.
There is also evidence that sect which flourished with the decline of Vedism was centred on Krishna, the deified tribal hero and religious leader of the Yadavas.[48] It is believed that at a later stage Krishnaism started to align with Vedism so that orthodoxy would find it acceptable. It is also believed that at this stage that Vishnu of the Rig Veda was assimilated into Krishnaism and became the equivalent of the Supreme God.[48] While there is a considerable debate as to Shivaism versus Vishnuism, and foisting of Krishnaism upon a dummy Vishnu to be passed as a Vedic deity, some consider that, "stated in this way, such scarcely can have been the case".[49]
Such views distinguishing Vishnu from Krishna are believed to be without basis by some. For example, the Mahabharata is believed by some to predate the Bhagavata Purana[citation needed] and in the interpretations of Vishnu sahasranama composed by Bhishma in glorification of Krishna, where Krishna, according to some commentators, is identified as an avatar of Vishnu[50] and worship of Krishna was seen as identical to worship of Vishnu.
In the 149th chapter of Anushāsanaparva in the epic Mahabharata, Bhisma states, with Krishna present, that mankind will be free from all sorrows by chanting the Vishnu sahasranama, the thousand names of the all-pervading Supreme Being Vishnu, who is the master of all the worlds, supreme over the devas and who is one with Brahman.[47] This seems to indicate that Krishna is identical with Vishnu. Indeed, Krishna himself said, "Arjuna, one may be desirous of praising by reciting the thousand names. But, on my part, I feel praised by one shloka. There is no doubt about it." [51]
Debaters have often alleged a number of parallels between Krishnaism and Christianity, originating with Kersey Graves' The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors claiming 346 parallels between Krishna and Jesus,[52] theorizing that Christianity emerged as a result of an import of pagan concepts upon Judaism. Some 19th to early 20th century scholars writing on Jesus Christ in comparative mythology (John M. Robertson, Christianity and Mythology, 1910) even sought to derive both traditions from a common predecessor religion.[53] This discussion is mainly upheld by Krishnaists on one hand, and opponents against Christianity on the other.[citation needed] From the Christian side the arguments for a connection are rejected as based on false and poorly researched statements.[54][citation needed]
The term Krishnology is used to highlight the parallels of Christology with the theology of Krishna in Krishnaism.[55]
- ^ SPREADING THE GOSPEL AT HARVARD The New York Times May 22, 1988 Retrieved on 5-21-2008
- ^ James Mulhern (1959) A History of Education: A Social Interpretation p. 93
- ^ Franklin Edgerton (1925) The Bhagavad Gita: Or, Song of the Blessed One, India's Favorite Bible pp. 87-91
- ^ Charlotte Vaudeville has said, it is the 'real Bible of Krsnaism'. Quoted in: Matchett, 2000
- ^ Flood,(1996) p. 117
- ^ a b c Hardy, Friedhelm (2001). Viraha-Bhakti: The Early History of Krsna Devotion in South India (Oxford University South Asian Studies Series). Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 0-19-564916-8.
- ^ "Book review - FRIEDHELM HARDY, Viraha Bhakti: The Early History of Krishna Devotion in South India. Oxford University Press, Nagaswamy 23 (4): 443 -- Indian Economic & Social History Review". ier.sagepub.com. http://ier.sagepub.com/cgi/pdf_extract/23/4/443?ck=nck. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ RIDENOUR, Fritz (2001). So What's the Difference?. Gospel Light Publications. pp. 180–181. ISBN 0-8307-1898-2.
- ^ Giuliano, Geoffrey (1997). Dark horse: the life and art of George Harrison. New York: Da Capo Press. pp. 12. ISBN 0-306-80747-5.
- ^ Graham M. Schweig (2005). Dance of Divine Love: The Rڄasa Lڄilڄa of Krishna from the Bhڄagavata Purڄa. na, India's classic sacred love story. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press. pp. Front Matter. ISBN 0-691-11446-3.
- ^ Scheweig, (2004) pp. 13-17
- ^ Wilson, Bill; McDowell, Josh (1993). The best of Josh McDowell: a ready defense. Nashville: T. Nelson. pp. 352–353. ISBN 0-8407-4419-6.
- ^ Elkman, S.M.; Gosvami, J. (1986). Jiva Gosvamin's Tattvasandarbha: A Study on the Philosophical and Sectarian Development of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Movement. Motilal Banarsidass Pub.
- ^ Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 20.165
- ^ Richard Thompson, Ph. D. (December 1994). Reflections on the Relation Between Religion and Modern Rationalism. http://content.iskcon.com/icj/1_2/12thompson.html. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ Mahony, W.K. (1987). "Perspectives on Krsna's Various Personalities". History of Religions 26 (3): 333–335. DOI:10.1086/463085. JSTOR 1062381.
- ^ Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, Ramchandra Narayan Dandekar (1976). Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar as an Indologist: A Symposium. India: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. pp. 38–40.
- ^ KLOSTERMAIER, Klaus K. (2005). A Survey of Hinduism. State University of New York Press; 3 edition. pp. 206. ISBN 0-7914-7081-4. "Present day Krishna worship is an amalgam of various elements. According to historical testimonies Krishna-Vasudeva worship already flourished in and around Mathura several centuries before Christ. A second important element is the sect of Krishna Govinda. Still later is the worship of Bala-Krishna, the Divine Child Krishna - a quite prominent feature of modern Krishnaism. The last element seems to have been Krishna Gopijanavallabha, Krishna the lover of the Gopis, among whom Radha occupies a special position. In some books Krishna is presented as the founder and first teacher of the Bhagavata religion."
- ^ a b MONIUS, Anne E.: Dance Before Doom. Krishna In The Non-Hindu Literature of Early Medieval South India. In: Beck, Guy L., ed. Alternative Krishnas. Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity. Albany: State University of New York Press 2005; Ch. 8. pp. 139-149.
- ^ Norman Cutler (1987) Songs of Experience: The Poetics of Tamil Devotion, p. 13
- ^ a b "Devotion to Mal (Mayon)". philtar.ucsm.ac.uk. http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/hindu/ascetic/mal.html. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ G. Widengren (1997). Historia Religionum: Handbook for the History of Religions - Religions of the Present. Boston: Brill Academic Publishers. pp. 270. ISBN 90-04-02598-7. http://books.google.com/?id=3rrQY1tzLQUC&pg=PA270.
- ^ Valpey 2006, p. 110
- ^ chief ed. K. Ayyappa Paniker. (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 81-260-0365-0. p.327
- ^ Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature - p. 4290, Amaresh Datta, Mohan Lal,1994
- ^ Shanti Swarup (1968). 5000 Years of Arts and Crafts in India and Pakistan. New Delhi: D. B. Taraporevala. pp. 272. p.183
- ^ Musical Saints of India www.sankeertanam.com
- ^ Chatterji, S.K. (1936). "Purana Legends and the Prakrit Tradition in New Indo-Aryan". Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies 8 (2): 457–466. DOI:10.1017/S0041977X00141096. JSTOR 608054. literary study of their lyric literature of Bengal Vaishnavism, has given a useful conspectus of the "Historical Development of the Radha-Krsna Legend"
- ^ Miller, S.B.S. (1975). "Radha: Consort of Krsna's Vernal Passion". Journal of the American Oriental Society 95 (4): 655–671. DOI:10.2307/601022. JSTOR 601022.
- ^ Valpey 2006, pp. 30–31
- ^ Valpey 2006, p. 52
- ^ The penny cyclopædia [ed. by G. Long]. 1843, p.390 [1]
- ^ Sharda Arya, Sudesh Narang, Religion and Philosophy of the Padma-purāṇa: Dharmaśāstra. Miranda House (University of Delhi). Dept. of Sanskrit, India University Grants Commission, 1988. 547, p.30
- ^ White, C.S.J.; Redington, James D. (1990). "Vallabhacarya on the Love Games of Krsna". Journal of the American Oriental Society 110 (2): 373–374. DOI:10.2307/604565. JSTOR 604565.
- ^ "Shikshapatri, verse 109 by Bhagwan Swaminarayan". http://www.swaminarayan.nu/sampraday/shiksha.shtml.
- ^ a b KLOSTERMAIER, Klaus K. (2007). A Survey of Hinduism. State University of New York Press; 3 edition. pp. 204. ISBN 0-7914-7081-4. "..Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana, certainly the most popular religious books in the whole of India. Not only was Krsnaism influenced by the identification of Krsna with Vishnu, but also Vaishnavism as a whole was partly transformed and reinvented in the light of the popular and powerful Krishna religion. Bhagavatism may have brought an element of cosmic religion into Krishna worship; Krishna has certainly brought a strongly human element into Bhagavatism. ... The center of Krishna-worship has been for a long time Brajbhumi, the district of Mathura that embraces also Vrindavana, Govardhana, and Gokula, associated with Krishna from the time immemorial. Many millions of Krishna bhaktas visit these places ever year and participate in the numerous festivals that reenact scenes from Krshnas life on Earth"
- ^ ref name=Schweig2005>SCHWEIG, G.M. (2005). Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey; Oxford. pp. 10. ISBN 0-691-11446-3.
- ^ Gupta, Ravi M. (2007). Caitanya Vaisnava Vedanta of Jiva Gosvami. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-40548-3.
- ^ Radhakrishan(1970), ninth edition, Blackie and son India Ltd., p.211, Verse 6.47
- ^ A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. "Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Verse 8.15". Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Network (ISKCON). http://vedabase.net/bg/8/15. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ Matchett 2000, p. 153Bhag. Purana 1.3.28
- ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam :indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ mṛḍayanti yuge yuge
- ^ 1.3.28 Swami Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta. "Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 3 Verse 28". Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. http://srimadbhagavatam.com/1/3/28/en. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
- ^ "Sri Krishna". www.stephen-knapp.com. http://www.stephen-knapp.com/sri_krishna.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ^ Dhanurdhara Swami (2000). Waves of Devotion. Bhagavat Books. ISBN 0-9703581-0-5. - "Waves of Devotion". www.wavesofdevotion.com. http://www.wavesofdevotion.com/wod/an.html. Retrieved 2008-05-04. In Hari-namamr†a-vyakarana, Jiva Gosvami defines paribhasa-sutra as aniyame niyama-karini paribhasa: "A paribhasa-sutra implies a rule or theme where it is not explicitly stated." In other words, it gives the context in which to understand a series of apparently unrelated statements in a book.
- ^ Matchett 2000, p. 141
- ^ Matchett 2000, 10th canto transl.
- ^ a b Ganguli translation of Mahabharata, Ch.148
- ^ a b "Vaishnava". philtar.ucsm.ac.uk. http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/hindu/devot/vaish.html. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ Hopkins,The Religions of India,ISBN 1-60303-143-X, p.645
- ^ Vishnu Sahasranama, with Sankara's commentary, by Swami Tapasyananda, Ramakrishna Press, p. 177
- ^ Srivaishnavism
- ^ The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors by Kersey Graves
- ^ Jackson, John (1985). Christianity Before Christ. American Atheist Press. pp. 166. ISBN 0-910309-20-5. "John M. Robertson wrote a learned treatise entitled "Christ and Krishna", and in that work he argued that there was no direct contact between Krishnaism and Christianity; but that both sects were derived from an earlier common source."
- ^ The Devine Evidence
- ^ used as a nonce coinage from as early as 1952 in Ragual Samuel Rahator, Christology and Krishnology, a Critical Study,; used in scare-quotes in Jerald D. Gort, Dialogue and syncretism: an interdisciplinary approach, Rodopi, 1989, ISBN 978-0-8028-0501-0, p. 159. Further incidental use in academic literature, with or without quotes, can be found during the 1990s; note that the term Krishnology has been widened in meaning during the 2000s, particularly by adherents of ISKCON , to refer to "Krishna theology" in general; see Rajeev Verma, Faith & philosophy of Hinduism, Gyan Publishing House, 2009, ISBN 978-81-7835-718-8, p. 162.
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